Green light on pulp mill bill

LEGISLATION designed to make the Tamar Valley pulp mill more attractive to potential buyers has passed the House of Assembly, after debate was guillotined late last night.

As about 400 people waving black flags and shouting ``shame'' rallied outside Parliament, debate began on the legislation to quash any legal threat to the validity of the permits for the $2.3 billion project.

A furious Greens leader Nick McKim addressed the crowd after Speaker Michael Polley denied him the opportunity to move a no-confidence motion in the government.

The setback did not stop the Greens dragging debate on the legislation out for hours and forcing the 10 Labor and 10 Liberal Party members to join forces as often as possible in what Mr McKim labelled ``the purple coalition''.

The Legislative Council must now approve the legislation, which also gives the buyer of the pulp mill permit until 2017 to start work.

Gunns receiver KordaMentha requested the changes and says it is in talks with six international potential buyers, but not all are interested in the pulp mill.